ST. LOUIS (August 31, 2026) — For the first time in Saint Louis Zoo history, three critically endangered American Red Wolf pups born at the Saint Louis Zoo Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve have been fostered into a wild Red Wolf family in North Carolina. The foster was made possible by species recovery efforts under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) Program.
The pups were placed this spring into a wild litter on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in northeast North Carolina, where they will be raised by a wild family and contribute to the next generation of wild American Red Wolves. This process, known as fostering, introduces critical genetic diversity into a wild population on the brink of extinction. Genetic diversity helps populations stay healthy and resilient by increasing disease resistance, reducing the effects of inbreeding and supporting long-term species growth.
"Every pup matters,” said Regina Mossotti, Vice President of Animal Care at the Saint Louis Zoo and Program Leader for the AZA SAFE American Red Wolf Program. “With less than 40 American Red Wolves left in the wild, fostering is an important tool for the species. These pups now have the chance to support a future for one of the world’s most endangered animals.”
The Only Eligible Pups in North America
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitors breeding behavior of wild American Red Wolves, while the AZA SAFE Program coordinates breeding recommendations for wolves in professional care. When a wild litter is born, SAFE works quickly to identify pups born at zoological institutions within a narrow, two-week window. Pup fosters must take place within the first 14 days of life. This is when wolf mothers bond with their pups and are the most likely to accept new pups in their litter.
In 2026, the Saint Louis Zoo's litter was the only litter born in professional care within that timeframe, making them the only pups eligible to support this year's species recovery efforts.
The Journey to the Wild
On April 20, Zoo Animal Care and Veterinary staff collected three, seven-day-old pups from an American Red Wolf litter at Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve. After a comprehensive health exam, the pups traveled with Zoo staff to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern North Carolina, receiving diligent, hour-by-hour care along the way. Once there, FWS biologists received the pups and placed them into a wild den.
"Several vital recovery actions for Red Wolves rely on our close partnership and collaboration with the SAFE American Red Wolf Program," said Emily Weller, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Red Wolf Recovery Program Coordinator. "The pup fostering this past spring with the Saint Louis Zoo is a perfect example of how that partnership directly benefits the species and their recovery in the wild."
Following placement, FWS biologists monitored the den to ensure the wild mother returned to care for her litter. Several months later—when pups naturally start exploring outside the den—refuge trail cameras confirmed all three Zoo-born pups were alive and thriving. The wild wolf mother had accepted them into her litter, where they continue to grow alongside their wild family.
“It’s hard to describe the joy that comes from being part of this foster,” said Saint Louis Zoo Keeper Nicole Becker, who traveled with Mossotti and the Zoo-born pups to North Carolina. “Groundbreaking conservation efforts like this are the backbone of why we do what we do, caring for Red Wolves in our own backyard and protecting their wild counterparts for future generations.”
Because the wild wolf mother had a such a large litter, a few pups from the wild also were fostered back into the Saint Louis Zoo’s litter at Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve through a process called cross fostering. This helps ensure the wild mother can appropriately care for each pup. For one of the world's most endangered animals, the exchange of genetics between the wild population and wolves in professional care is a rare and important opportunity for species recovery.
More Information
The Zoo will provide photo and video updates to social media and the Zoo website at stlzoo.org/wolves.
About the American Red Wolf
Once found throughout the southeastern United States, less than 40 wild American Red Wolves remain in the wild today, found only in northeastern North Carolina. Red Wolves were hunted nearly to extinction in the 1800s and 1900s. In the 1960s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with North American zoos to launch a breeding and re-introduction program for this species on the brink of extinction. American Red Wolves are solely native to the United States and are considered one of the most endangered animals in the world.
About Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve
The Saint Louis Zoo Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve is a 355-acre natural area located in Franklin County. In 1993, the property was donated to the Zoo by Peggy Lehmann, of St. Louis, in honor of her late husband, Sears Lehmann, Jr. Since taking over the land, the Zoo primarily preserved it as a natural site for native wildlife. In 2021, the Zoo announced plans to develop approximately 20 acres of the property for American Red Wolf conservation and, today, the Reserve houses seven habitats dedicated to conservation and breeding efforts under the AZA SAFE American Red Wolf Program. Red wolves at the Wildlife Reserve live in a private, protected natural setting that is not open to visitors. This allows the wolves to learn natural behaviors and survival skills with minimal human interaction to prepare them for a potential life in the wild. For more information, visit stlzoo.org/conservation/wildlife-reserve.
About Saint Louis Zoo
Home to 12,500 animals, representing over 450 species, the Saint Louis Zoo is recognized worldwide for its innovative approaches to animal care and management, wildlife conservation, research and education. Twice voted “Best Free Attraction” in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo is one of the only free zoos in the country. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Saint Louis Zoo is part of an elite group of institutions that meet the highest standards in animal care as well as provide fun, safe and educational family experiences. The Saint Louis Zoo and other AZA-accredited institutions collectively dedicate millions of dollars annually to support scientific research, conservation and education programs. For more information, visit stlzoo.org.